FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Financial Management & Administrative Services
| The mission of the Finance Department is to ensure that all resources of the City of Montpelier are managed and accounted for in an effective and efficient manner, that all financial records are presented in a timely, accurate and meaningful format and that all staff members work toward continuous improvement and professional service. |
The Montpelier Finance Department is responsible for maintaining the accounting, payroll, payables, receivables, and insurance and billing programs for the City of Montpelier. The Finance Department provides regular financial information to Department Heads, the City Manager, the Council, and residents. Our department also prepares the annual City budget, manages human resources and coordinates the annual audit.
2010 Financial Audit Bids and Process:
http://www.montpelier-vt.org/page/402.html
Budget information can be found online at:
http://www.montpelier-vt.org/group/357.html
The City of Montpelier Annual Audit can be found at:
http://www.montpelier-vt.org/page/286.html
Financial Reports can be found online on Finance Department
Web Page at:
http://www.montpelier-vt.org/page/370.html
The City of Montpelier has 22 active funds, 10 departments and 4 labor contracts/employee plans. There is $49 million dollars invested in fixed assets financed by 31 loans that total $22 million dollars. The annual operating budgets for the City’s governmental and business-type activities total $16 million dollars. Our Chart of Accounts has over 2000 accounts which is an indication of the complexity of our financial structure. Last year the Community Justice, the Senior Center and the Montpelier Net programs were added to the city’s operations. This year the city took on the responsibility for 58 Barre Street. In FY09 the City processed more than $2,000,000 in federal and state grant expenditures. Due to the available stimulus funding, we will spend that amount and more in the current fiscal year.
The department relies on Sharon Blatchford, Human Resources & Accounting Specialist, Donna Collette, Accounting Clerk and a contract with Fothergill Segale & Valley CPA firm to perform the responsibilities of the department. Sharon, a thirty-year veteran, provides in-depth employee benefits administration, payroll and accounts payable administration. We are also fortunate to have the support services of Donna Collette, who provides accounts payable, backup assistance for payroll and clerical support. Penny Bullard, representative for Fothergill Segale & Valley CPA firm maintains the general ledger and oversees the subsidiary ledgers. We also work closely with Charlotte Hoyt, City Clerk – Treasurer and her staff to make the City of Montpelier’s financial management system as efficient and effective as possible. Fred Skeels, Information Technology & Communication Manager works with Nick Daniels, Technology Technician, to maintain the citywide computer network and telephone technology services.
Since beginning my responsibilities as the City’s Finance Director in December 2005, there have been many opportunities to work with new department managers. We continually strive to take on the challenges presented by ever increasing operating and infrastructure costs, unfunded state and federal regulations, and the extremes of Vermont’s weather. The recent economic downturn and its effect on our city’s residents and businesses certainly demands that the City hold down municipal spending. We constantly try to do more with less.
This year the Scott’s Construction issue, the effort to reduce health insurance costs, the financial software transition and an unusual amount of grants brought many challenges to the finance office. I would like to thank the finance office staff for their professionalism and positive outlook despite the heavy workload and the turmoil caused by the Scott’s construction overpayment. I look forward to the completion (and voter approval) of the FY11 budget and hope to return to more normal times in the New Year.
I appreciate the support that the Finance Department receives from the City Council and Bill Fraser, City Manager. Our office is located in City Hall and is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. We welcome city residents’ questions, comments and concerns. If I can be of service, do not hesitate to call me at the office (223-9514) or e- mail: sgallup@montpelier-vt.org
SANDRA J. GALLUP, Finance Director
